MSC Champe Fitzhugh, Jr. International Honors Leadership Seminar Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy The Santa Chiara Study Center

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1 MSC Champe Fitzhugh, Jr. International Honors Leadership Seminar Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy The Santa Chiara Study Center July 13 July 31, 2014

2 Champe Fitzhugh Jr. Program named for Tom s father on his 70 th birthday Thomas Fitzhugh III 71 Champe Fitzhugh Jr. Tom was a National Merit Scholar and the MSC President Currently a Maritime Attorney Adjunct Faculty Member at TAMU Galveston History Buff Passion for International Travel

3 Purpose of the Program To prepare participants to make the best of your educational odyssey. Fast-tracking students into leadership positions in the Memorial Student Center and other Texas A&M organizations Teaching students the skills to succeed academically while maintaining honors status Understanding the opportunities available for Undergraduate Research Planting the seed for a Study Abroad experience in your future

4 Castiglion Fiorentino/ Santa Chiara Castiglion Fiorentino is a picturesque 11th century walled village in Tuscany. The center occupies a 19th century conservatory building that has lower sections from the Renaissance and basement ruins dating from the Etruscan period. Classrooms, lounges, dining hall, and dormitories face an inner courtyard with a beautiful view of the Tuscan countryside.

5 The Study Center Italart Meals and accommodations at Center. Castiglion Fiorentino: involvement with the community itself. Excellent Italian Staff under the direction of Sharon Jones /WIFI access (no photo downloads or Skyping)

6 Itinerary Flexibility / Long Days (Rome, especially) Florence (twice) Arezzo Assisi Cortona Rome Venice All alternated with Center Activities

7 The Travel Itinerary SU -July 13 Depart Houston MO -July 14 Arrive Florence TU - July 15 Center Activities/Sessions WE - July 16 Visit local Agriturismo TH - July 17 Firenze I/Lunch Arranged FR - July 18 Local market/italian Lessons SA - July 19 Arezzo/Center Activities SU - July 20 Center Time & Group Exercise MO -July 21 Assisi/Lunch Arranged TU - July 22 Art Class/Sessions WE - July 23 Firenze/Science Museum TH - July 24 Art Class/Center Activities

8 Itinerary Continued FR - July 25 Rome SA - July 26 Center Activities/Sessions SU - July 27 Center Time & Free Time MO July 28 Depart for Venezia TU - July 29 Venezia: Doges Palace WE July 30 Venezia: St. Marks TH July 31 Depart for USA from Venezia

9 Educational Sessions Opportunities: MSC Student Programs Honors (University Undergraduate Research Fellows, National Scholarships) Study Abroad Freshman Leadership Organizations Student Government Association Residence Hall Association Academics: Study Skills Time Management

10 Educational Sessions Academics: Aggie Honor Code University Writing Center Registration Policies Declaring/Changing Majors TA role Academic Relationships Personal Health and Well Being: Diet, Exercise, and Sleep Alcohol, Drugs, and Sex Stress Management

11 Educational Sessions Personal Health and Well Being: Safety Finances Student Health Center Student Counseling Services Relationships: Teambuilding Networking Diversity Personal Relationships Roommate issues Conflict Resolution

12 Educational Sessions Professionalism Public Speaking Interview Skills Resume writing Etiquette and Professional Dress Career Center Office of Professional School Advising Facebook /Instagram/Twitter/You Tube First 2 weeks at Texas A&M Opportunities (academic and social) Expectations (academic and social)

13 Safety Try not to stand out as Americans Back Packs Money Belts Gypsies Stay With Group Watch Time / Know the Schedule

14 Packing What to Pack One checked bag (50lbs) and 1 small Carry-On - See Delta Airlines page for rules. ( Church Clothes (long pants for guys, long skirts and covered shoulders for girls in some churches) Hand washable clothes (shorts and shirts) Washcloths Comfortable walking shoes Camera Medicine/Contacts & Glasses (prescriptions) Communications to Home Cell Phones check with your carrier International data plans are very expensive Use and blog Skype not encouraged takes too much bandwidth

15 Film and Photography Digital Cameras work great. May want to bring memory sticks and extra batteries. Take picture with people in them for the memories. Buy postcards of the lovely scenery for they will often look better than your own photos.

16 Money Credit/Debit Cards -ATM s available in most cities (Call your Bank) Amount for each student varies according to shopping desires, etc. It costs every time you change money. May want to get some Euros before you leave. Current Euro Exchange Rate: Approximately $1.40 = 1

17 Alcohol Not permitted unless part of an organized cultural meal. Wine may be served at a few select meals as part of the culture. You may choose to partake or not according to your own personal choice. Violation of the Alcohol policy may result in a student being sent home at his/her own expense.

18 StrengthQuest Discover your greatest natural talents Improve your grades and increase your learning by making the most of your talents Strategically determine a rewarding career path based on who your are as uniquely talented individuals Maximize your potential for strengths by building on your talents rather than focusing on your weaknesses Please submit your information by June 27th

19 Meeting at Airport July 13 Noon in front of KLM Royal Dutch Airline counter (Terminal D). Will meet early allowing time to gather as a group and prepare for departure. Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston Departure is at 3:15 p.m.

20 Flight Information July 13 th (SUN)- Houston Intercontinental Departure KLM (662) 3:15 p.m. Arrive July 14 th Amsterdam 7:30 a.m. Departure KLM (1641) 9:55 a.m. Arrive Florence 11:55 a.m. July 31 st (THUR) Venezia Departure KLM (1652) 11:40 a.m. Arrive Amsterdam 1:40 p.m. Depart KLM (667) - 3:00 p.m. Arrive Houston 6:10 p.m.

21 Web Page/List Serve/Blog If you have not sent a picture, please do so. Send in a short bio about self to be posted with picture. List serve will be used for communication to help prepare for the trip and give students a chance to get to know one another before meeting at the airport. Web Page - Facebook Group look for an invitation List Serve Italy-2014@msc.tamu.edu

22 Contact Information Rick Greig Suma Datta Catharine West- John Hill Price Amy Brooke Austin Wang Luke Altendorf-